They have seen the elephants...

: There is supposed to be a New England saying, "they have seen the elephants & seen the hooty owl." Can't find the meaning of it. Can you help?

Maybe it relates to "I've been to the circus and seen the elephant." Meaning worldly, been around. //www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/49/messages/501.html%20I%20have%20no%20explanation%20for%20the%20hooty%20owls.